A long time...again...

It seems like I can't get a handle on the blogging thing. Life is just so....everyday. And well, honestly, blogging has not been high on my priority list. SURVIVAL seems to be the key word lately. Another excuse...the photos that I want to post are on my desktop which is down...and has been...for oh 6 months or so. Just need to take it to the computer doctor and well, that hasn't been high on the list either.

For the last month or two, my school has been in the middle of many changes and thus, many long days and meetings. And let's just be perfectly honest, I don't feel terribly creative after a day of teaching. Maybe it's just me...

My students on our Armor of God Day

Updates:

The spring (and winter!) has been busy...we coached a group of high school girls with the MidValley Monarchs again this year. It has been a great experience again, and we love the group of girls that we have worked with. Three of the girls were on our team last year, and it has been fun to continue our relationships with them. It is intensely difficult, yet gratifying to coach with my husband. We butt heads on a few things, and sometimes don't agree, but all-in-all it's a lot like marriage--not easy, sometimes confusing, exciting, and wonderfully worth it. We pray that we make an impact on the girls we coach--not just about basketball, but in all aspects of their lives. We have one more large tournament in July in Seattle. We are excited as this tournament is the best one of the season, and will head up to Seattle as soon as we get done with Elkanah.

My parents came to visit for a few days the end of March/beginning of April. It was an absolute blast. They slept on the floor in our 900 sq. ft. apartment, Dad played his guitar and he and Bryan went to the sporting clay shooting range in Brooks for Dad's birthday. Mom and I went "nothing" shopping--which is the best kind! Mom helped me in my classroom and my kids were ecstatic to meet their pen pal's teacher. Mom did several bulletin boards for me and then Dad came in and played his guitar and sang for the kids to enhance the "America's Cowboys" unit we were finishing. It was a definite highlight for both me and the kids.

Mom and Dad leading singing "Home on the Range"

Bryan's little sister Adree got married in California in April. So, between weekends of basketball tournaments we drove down to Mantica, CA on a Friday, had the wedding on Saturday and returned home on Sunday. It was a long, fast trip. The wedding and bride were beautiful and it was fun to see and meet family--both new and old. (See my facebook for more pics.) We enjoyed our time in the car with Bryan's other little sister, Ellisse and her boyfriend, Tim. I think the highlight for Bryan was getting to hang out with his Uncle Clark and going to Bass Pro and finding hunting gear (that fits!!!) that didn't cost an arm and a leg. :) I really enjoyed getting to know Clark and Donna myself, and was incredibly impressed with their generosity and hospitality.

 Bryan and I

 Bryan and our oldest niece, Tabitha

Newlyweds, Adrian and Adree

The month of May flew by and now we are headed into June and the ending of school and the beginning of our crazy summer.

We just celebrated Bryan's 29th birthday last week,(June 1) and I reminded him how thankful I am that he cushions the blow of age for me. :) (He is a year and two months older.) To me, his birthday signifies the beginning of summer, camp, and the excitement of the end of the school year. To celebrate, he didn't want anything big...(just because he's old, or what?? I told him that it was fine, we could do something little, but I wanted him to make a big deal of my birthday. What can I say, I'm kinda a big deal!) So in the spirit of something small, I made homemade pizza for dinner and white cupcakes filled with vanilla pudding and fluffy white frosting for dessert. I still made him blow out candles and sang happy birthday to him. (I think he secretly appreciated it. Let's face it, we all like to be spoiled on our special day!) He has received many cards, and lots of birthday money which he is hoarding until he finds just the right thing to buy.

We are gearing up for a summer of camps which we are excited for. Bryan and I have been more involved in the planning and hiring aspect of  Camp Elkanah which has been a blessing to both of us. We are excited about the team that God has brought together to serve for a month. It is amazing how God continually provides for us in the realm of personnel, funds and strength. We are excited to see how mightily He will work in and through us for the glory of His kingdom this year. Not to mention, excited to be surrounded by the beauty of the Blue Mountains for a month! On the two weekends in between camp, we will head to my parent's house in Idaho (only about 2 hours from LaGrande) and visit. They are short visits but it is always nice to be HOME.

Me and my 30 year old mare, Pauly at Christmas

We will also continue to be involved with NBC Basketball Camps this year at George Fox and Linfield when Elkanah is over. Probably only two or three weeks. I'm quickly coming to the point that I am realizing that I may indeed be reaching the "too old" stage for the intensity of NBC. Not that I don't love it, but combined with the fact that we do a month of camp before we head to NBC, and my struggle with adrenal fatigue, I find myself wondering how many more years I will be able to work 6-7 weeks of camp per summer. Ah well, it's a summer job, and I know I will miss it when I no longer do it.

Hopefully, when we get done with the camps, we can take some time for ourselves and either go on a vacation (we've been obsessively looking at travel sites) or just chill at our apartment. It's honestly so hard to think about going ANYWHERE when we have been traveling and going all summer. By the time we get done, there are usually only a few weeks until school starts--so a break is defnitely called for.

When you think of us this summer, please pray for us. Pray for safety as we travel. Pray that God will use us in a way that glorifies HIM. Pray that young people make lifetime commitments to the mighty God we serve. Pray for strength and endurance as we head straight from teaching into camp. 

1 Timothy 1:12
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.